Electronic organ

ABSTRACT

The application describes an electronic organ in which a rhythmic production of various chords and/or individual notes is triggered whenever an individual key is depressed. This mode of operation is achieved by use of a rhythm producer, a tone generator, and appropriate switching and control apparatus.

United States Patent Bohm 51 Aug. 1, 1972 [54] ELECTRONIC ORGAN3,549,778 12/1970 Munch ..84/ 1.24 X 3,553,335 1/1971 Bunger ..84/1.24 X[72] Invent ,;i,';,fgf;,",,;,; 3,235,648 2/1966- George ..s4/1.033,546,355 12/1970 Maynard ..84/l.03 July 17,1970 3,247,307 4/1966Campbell... ..s4/1.24 x [21] Appl. No.: 55,911 3,340,344 9/1967 Schwartzet al. ..84/l.24 3,358,068 12/ 1967 Campbell, ..84/1.03 X 3,499,0913/1970 Bunger ..84/1.24X [301 Fmig" Avvlicafim Data 3,499,092 3/1970Bunger ..s4 -1.o3 Sept. 30, 1969 Germany ..P 1949 313.1 Y I PrimaryExaminer-Lewis 1-1. Myers [52] US. Cl. ..84/l.03, 84/1.07, 84/1.22Assisram k -v Weldon [51] Int. Cl ..G10f 1/00 yM i r g i. wi & Wi off[58] Field of Search ..84/1.0l,1.03,1.11, 1.24, 84/ 1.17 [57] ABSTRACTThe a lication describes an electronic organ in which [56] ReferencesC'ted a rhyt h mic production of various chords and/or in- UNITED STATESPATENTS dividual notes is triggered whenever an individual key isdepressed. This mode of operation is achieved by 3,461,217 8/1969 Omuraet a1. .,....84/1.17 X use f a rhythm d r, a tone generator, and ap-3,476,864 1 1/1969 Munch et a1 ..84/1 .03 propriate switching andcontrol apparatus 3,546,355 12/1970 Maynard.....- ..84/1.03 3,549,77712/1970 Bunger ..84/l.24 X 3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures mtmtmm: H9123.681.508

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RAM/ER B lm INVENTOR/ PATENTEmus' 1 m2 3. 68 1, 508

sum ear 2 RAIN-ER 50 INVENTOR, MAJ Weill 0 .J, By My. )4 110% ELECTRONICORGAN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to anelectronic organ and more particularly relates to an electronic organwherein the depressionof at least one key, preferably in the low rangeof the key board, results in a rhythmically broken-up note.

In electronic organs, it is conventional to supply an accompaniment(i.e., a rhythmic sequence of notes) with the left hand and by means ofa pedal. With this arrangement, a predetermined note is associated witheach key of the manual and pedal keyboards. To perform theaccompaniment,appropriate keys must be depressed with the left hand witha frequency and sequence corresponding to the desired rhythm. A similartechnique must be used on appropriate pedals. For thesereasons,the-accompaniment makes high demands on the skill and concentration ofthe player.

For simplifying the accompaniment, certain keys of a manual maybearranged to produce not only individual notes, but also predeterminedchords, so that the keys associated with the individual notes of thechords need not be simultaneously depressed. However, this arrangementfacilitates playing to only a small extent, since the player must stillplay each note and pedal in the proper rhythm. Thus, even with theseauxiliary means, heavy demands are made on the players manual dexterityand sense of rhythm.

Another known electronic organ frees the player from the necessity ofplaying keys in the proper rhythm by employing a rhythm-providing meanswhich automatically breaks up the accompanying notes into apredetermined rhythm pattern. Thus, as long as a key is depressed, theappropriate note is rhythmically broken up. However, the manual andpedal keys associated with desired chords must still be selected by theplayer. As a rule this involves the playing of a plurality of keys oneafter the other for the same chord (i.e., alternating basses and bassmelodies). Therefore, the player must possess good musical knowledge,considerable skill, excellent technique, and the ability to concentrate.This is a difiicult task since he must also play the melody with hisright hand.

There are also known automatic electronic percussion instruments whichautomatically produce, in adjustable rhythm patterns, sounds whichimitate conventional percussion type instruments. With this arrangement,no provision is made for a change in pitch or scales.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an electronic organ whichobviates the disadvantages of the known electronic organs and whichalmost completely relieves the player of the work of providing theaccom: paniment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a principal feature of theinvention, rhythm means are provided to effect a rhythmic production ofvarious chords, individual notes and/or individual notes and chords inpredetermined sequence whenever an appropriate key is depressed. If onlyone key is held, this rhythm means enables the production of a pluralityof notes or chords, one after the other, in accordance with apredetermined rhythm.

According to another feature of the invention, the keys producing therhythmic note sequences are provided with a plurality of contacts which,upon depression of a key, connect the note generators associated withthe particular notes or chords of the desired rhythmic note sequence tocontrol means. The control means are connected between the contacts andthe output of the electronic organ and are controlled by the rhythmmeans which enables the control means to conduct note generator signalsin accordance with the desired rhythm pattern.

By following the teaching of the present invention, the player isrelieved of almost the entire work involved in the accompaniment. As aresult, a rich and full accompaniment may be supplied by inexperiencedplayers having little musical knowledge or skill. If the playerdepresses a key producing the accompaniment, there is produced apredetermined sequence consisting of chords, individual notes,alternating basses and bass melodies (which may also be built up fromthe chords) at the instants of time corresponding to the desired rhythm.These instants of time may be determined by the rhythm means which, inpredetermined sequence, supplies switching pulses to the control means.

Of course, it is also possible to utilize an electronic percussioninstrument which is then co controlled by the rhythm means of thepresentinvention. For example, the percussion instrument can be actuatedwhen a new rhythm commences. However, it can also be controlled by theswitching-in of the other notes of the accompaniment scale (i.e., byother switching pulses of the rhythm means).

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG.1 shows an electronic organ 1 which stands on legs and comprises a lowerportion 2 which has a loudspeaker 3. A manual 5 is'disposed in an upperportion 4 of the organ. The left-hand side of the upper portion has keys6 which produce an accompaniment according to the invention. Arrangedover the keys 6 are switching means 7 by which the rhythm may be altered(i.e., for example from a waltz to a foxtrot). Furthermore, by means ofsome of the switches 7, supplemen-' tary key contacts may be switched inso that, upon depressing one of the keys 6, not only the rhythmic notesequences, but also the notes associated with keys 6 become audible. Inaddition to switching means 7, there are also provided the conventionalregister or stop switches 8, 9 and, where appropriate, loudspeakerregulators (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows the characteristic elements of a preferred circuit for theproduction of rhythm according to the invention. A sound generator 10produces tone signals corresponding to all the sounds necessary for theproduction of rhythm and the formation of 5 notes. Exemplary notesproduced by the generator are indicated by letters superimposed ongenerator 10. In this regard, plain lower case letters indicate notes inthe region of middle C, lower case letters bearing the exponent 2indicate notes an octave above the plain'lower case letter notes, plainupper case letters indicate notes an octave below the plain lower caseletter notes, and

underlined upper case letters indicate notes two octaves below the plainlower case letter notes. Electrical devices capable of operating asgenerator are wellknown to those skilled in the electronic organ art.

Two of the keys 6 are indicated by broken lines 11 and 12, and all thecontacts of a key are simultaneously closed by depressing the key. Forexample, when playing key 11, a contact 13 is closed, so that the ac.voltages associated with the notes 0 a and j are fed, via resistors 14,15 and 16, a contact 13, a connecting lead 17, a control stage 18 and aresistor 19, to a sound forming means 20, in which the appropriate soundis mixed." The ac voltage mixture thus produced appears across theoutput 21 of the sound forming means and, if appropriate afteramplification, is fed to a loudspeaker, such as amplifier andloudspeaker 21A.

In a corresponding manner, a.c. voltages associated with the notes 0, aand f are fed via resistors 22, 23 and 24, a contact 25, a connectinglead 26, control stage 27, and a resistor 28, to the sound-forming means20. An ac. voltage associated with the note C is fed, via the resistor29, a contact 30, a connecting lead 31, a control stage 32, a resistor33 and a resistor 34, to the sound-forming means 20. An ac. voltagecorresponding to the note F is fed, via a resistor 35, a contact 36, aconnecting lead 37, a control stage 38,.a resistor 39 and resistor 34,to'the sound-forming means 20. Simultaneously, the said ac. voltagepasses from the resistor 39, via voltage divider 40 having the dividerratio 1:2 and serving for the formation of a subharmonic, and a resistor41, into the sound-forming means 20. Normally, control stages 18, 27, 32and 38 are switched so that lines 17, 26, 31 and 37 are not connected tosoundforming means 20.

To the control stages 18,27, 32 and 38 there are fed, via conductors 42,43, 44 and 45, control pulses derived from a rhythm provider 46 andwhich, on appearing, on every occasion, switch the control stages 18,27, 32 and 38 into a conductive condition (if so required with apredetermined adjustment time), so that the conductors 17, 26, 31 and 37are connected with the sound-forming means 20. Upon disappearance of thecontrol pulses from the rhythm provider 46, the passage through thecontrol stages 18, 27, 32 and 38 is once again interrupted, ifnecessary, after apredetermined time corresponding to naturallyoccurring buildup and decay times. Apparatus, such ,as relays ortransistor switches, capable of operating as control stages 18, 27, 32and 38 are well-known to those skilled in the art.

According to the invention, the opening and closing of the controlstages 18, 27, 32 or 38 is effected with a predetermined rhythm and ina, predetermined sequence, depending on the rhythm desired. For example,in the case of a waltz rhythm, rhythm signals in the form of pulses fromthe rhythm provider 46 may appear on the leads 42 to 45, in thefollowing sequence: 42, 45, 45, 42, 45, 45, 42 45, 45, etc. In the caseof a foxtrot, the sequence may for example be: 42, 45, 43, 45, 42, 45,etc. or 42, 44, 42, 45, 42, 44, etc.

' Naturally, it is also possible to achieve a correspondingly morecomplicated tone or note formation. This will not require any specialdiscussion here, since it results entirely of its own accord from theindividual rhythm formation and thecorresponding interpretation of therhythm provider 46. Rhythm providers of the type described arewell-known in the electronic organ art.

Associated additionally with key 11 is a contact 47 which directlyconnects a note associated with key 11 to the sound former 20. In thisway, when key 11 is depressed, a corresponding continuous note isproduced. Additional switches may be provided which directly connect allnotes associated with a key to the sound-forming means 20, so that thenotes sound continuously as long as the key is depressed.

Key 12 has contacts 48, 49, 50 and 51 which are connected to thecollecting leads 17, 26, 31, 37 in the same. manner as the contacts ofkey 11. When key 12 is depressed, these contacts pass a.c. voltagescorresponding to notes produced by sound generator 10, via resistors52-59, to the control stages 18, 27, 32 and 38. Associated with key 12are other notes (i.e., C and G) and also other chords 0, e, g and also c,'e g. A contact 60 of key 12 produces a note which sounds continuouslywhen a key is depressed. This note may, together with the correspondingnotes of other keys, belong to a normal scale, so that, with the aid ofthese contacts, it becomes possible to play a bass melody by actuatingthe accompanying keys.

In FIG. 2, only two keys 11 and 12 are indicated, but the number of keysmay be any desired number. If desired, all the keys of a manual, asupplementary keyboard or a pedal board may be used.

When key 11 is depressed, the F major triad is heard in the higher notesdue to the closure of contact 13, the F major chord is heard in thelower notes due to the closure of contact 25,'the alternating bass C isheard due to the closure of contact 30, and the lower bass F is hearddue to closure of the contact 36.

In a corresponding manner, when key 12 is depressed, the C major triadis heard in the higher notes due to the closure of contact 48, the Cmajor chord is heard in the lower notes due to closure of contact 49,the alternating bass G is heard due to closure of contact 50, and thelow bass C is heard due to closure of contact 51.

When key 11 is depressed, it may be that a note will not immediately beproduced. The note may not sound until the rhythm provider 46 supplies aswitch-through pulse to one or the other of the control stages 18, 27,32 or 38. In this way, the corresponding a.c. voltages are switchedthrough in correspondence with the rhythm adjusted at the rhythmprovider 46. This arrangement is especially advantageous when the playerfails to release key 11 soon enough. Even though the note is held, nosound will be generated until the rhythm provider produces the next notein the rhythm sequence. If key 11 is released too soon, the only resultwill be that some notes or chords will drop out of the rhythm. However,the rhythm itself will not be fundamentally influenced. Thus, eventhough the rhythmic tone sequence is relatively complicated, the rhythmalways remains relatively uninfluenced by the manner in which the playerdepresses the accompaniment keys.

Obviously, it is quite readily possible to effect the switching-over ofthe rhythmic tone sequence from major to minor harmonies and other typesof chords. For this purpose, there may be provided special harmonyswitches (not shown here) with the aid of which tones, triads or chordscorresponding to these harmonies may be connected to the keys ll, 12etc. Naturally, it is also possible to assemble the bass notes and othernotes at will and to program the switching-in thereof in therhythmprovider 46.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiment disclosedherein may be altered and modified without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is: I

1. In an electronic organ comprising a first key and a second key and asound-forming means for mixing tone signals and producing notes,apparatus for causing the notes to sound in a predetermined rhythmicpattern comprising:

generator means for transmitting a first tone signal corresponding to afirst note over a first conducting path, for transmitting a second tonesignal corresponding to a second note over a second conducting path, fortransmitting a third tone signal corresponding to a third note over athird conducting path, for transmitting a fourth tone signalcorresponding to a fourth note over a fourth conducting path, fortransmitting a fifth tone signal corresponding to a fifth note over afifth conducting path, and for transmitting a sixth tone signalcorresponding to a sixth note over a sixth conducting path, said first,second, and third notes forming the notes of a first harmonic chord, andsaid fourth, fifth, and sixth notes forming the notes of a secondharmonic chord different from the first harmonic chord;

rhythm means for generating at least first, second,

and third rhythm signals having a predetermined rhythmic pattern;

first control means for conducting a tone signal to the sound-formingmeans in response to the first rhythm signal;

second control means for conducting a tone signal to the sound-formingmeans in response to the second rhythm signal;

third control means for conducting a tone signal to the sound-formingmeans in response to the third rhythm signal;

first switch means connected in the first conducting path responsive todepression of the first key for conducting the first tone signal to thefirst control means;

ducting the second tone signal to the second control means;

third switch means connected in the third conducting path responsive todepression of the first key for conducting the third tone signal to thethird control means;

fourth switch means connected in the fourth conducting path responsiveto depression of the second key for conducting the fourth tone signal tothe first control means;

fifth switch means connected in the fifth conducting path responsive todepression of the second key for conducting the fifth tone signal to thesecond control means; and sixth switch means connected in the sixthconducting path responsive to depression of the second key forconducting the sixth tone signal to the third control means, whereby thefirst, second, and third notes may be sounded as the first harmonicchord in the predetermined rhythmic pattern in response to depression ofonly the first key and whereby the fourth, fifth, and sixth notes may besounded as the second harmonic chord in the predetermined rhythmicpattern in response to depression of only the secondkey. 2. In anelectronic organ comprising a first key and a second key and asound-forming means for mixing tone signals and producing notes,apparatus for causing the notes to sound in a predetermined rhythmicpattern comprising:

generator means for transmitting a first tone signal corresponding to afirst note over a first conducting path, for transmitting a second tonesignal corresponding to a second note over the first conducting path,for transmitting a third tone signal corresponding to a third note overthe first conducting path, for transmitting a fourth tone signalcorresponding to a fourth note over a second conducting path, fortransmitting a fifth tone signal corresponding to a fifth note over athird conducting path, for transmitting a sixth tone signalcorresponding to a sixth note over a fourth conducting path, fortransmitting a seventh tone signal corresponding to a seventh note overthe fourth conducting path, for transmitting an eighth tone signalcorresponding to an eighth note over the fourth conducting path, fortransmitting a ninth tone signal corresponding to a ninth note over afifth conducting path, and for transmitting a tenth tone signalcorresponding to a tenth note over a sixth conducting path, said first,second, third, fourth and fifth notes forming the notes of a firstharmonic chord, and said sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth notesforming the notes of a second harmonic chord different from the firstharmonic chord;

rhythm means for generating at least first, second and third rhythmsignals having a predetermined rhythmic pattern;

first control means for conducting a tone signal to the sound-formingmeans in response to the first rhythm signal;

second control means for conducting a tone signal to the sound-formingmeans in response to the second rhythm signal;

third control means for conducting a tone signal to the sound-formingmeans in response to the third rhythm signal;

first switch means connected in the firstconducting path responsive todepression of the first key for conducting the first, second and thirdtone signals to the first control means;

second switch means connected in the second conducting path responsiveto depression of the first key for conducting the fourth tone signal tothe second control means;

third switch means connected in the third conducting path responsive todepression of the first key for conducting the fifth tone signal to thethird control means;

fourth switch means connected in the fourth conducting path responsiveto depression of the second key for conducting the sixth, seventh andsixth switch means connected in the sixth conducting path responsive todepression of the second key for conducting the tenth tone signal to thethird control means, whereby the first through fifth notes may besounded as the first harmonic chord in the predetermined rhythmicpattern in response to depression of only the first key, and whereby thesixth through tenth notes may be sounded as the second harmonic 'chordin the predetermined rhythmic pattern in response to depression of onlythe second key.

3. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, and further comprising seventhswitch means responsive to the depression of the first key for directlyconducting a seventh tone signal to said sound-forming means, wherebysaid seventh tone signal is conducted continuously and said firstthrough sixth tone signals are conducted according to said rhythmicpattern.

1. In an electronic organ comprising a first key and a second key and asound-forming means for mixing tone signals and producing notes,apparatus for causing the notes to sound in a predetermined rhythmicpattern comprising: generator means for transmitting a first tone signalcorresponding to a first note over a first conducting path, fortransmitting a second tone signal corresponding to a second note over asecond conducting path, for transmitting a third tone signalcorresponding to a third note over a third conducting path, fortransmitting a fourth tone signal corresponding to a fourth note over afourth conducting pAth, for transmitting a fifth tone signalcorresponding to a fifth note over a fifth conducting path, and fortransmitting a sixth tone signal corresponding to a sixth note over asixth conducting path, said first, second, and third notes forming thenotes of a first harmonic chord, and said fourth, fifth, and sixth notesforming the notes of a second harmonic chord different from the firstharmonic chord; rhythm means for generating at least first, second, andthird rhythm signals having a predetermined rhythmic pattern; firstcontrol means for conducting a tone signal to the soundforming means inresponse to the first rhythm signal; second control means for conductinga tone signal to the soundforming means in response to the second rhythmsignal; third control means for conducting a tone signal to thesoundforming means in response to the third rhythm signal; first switchmeans connected in the first conducting path responsive to depression ofthe first key for conducting the first tone signal to the first controlmeans; second switch means connected in the second path responsive todepression of the first key for conducting the second tone signal to thesecond control means; third switch means connected in the thirdconducting path responsive to depression of the first key for conductingthe third tone signal to the third control means; fourth switch meansconnected in the fourth conducting path responsive to depression of thesecond key for conducting the fourth tone signal to the first controlmeans; fifth switch means connected in the fifth conducting pathresponsive to depression of the second key for conducting the fifth tonesignal to the second control means; and sixth switch means connected inthe sixth conducting path responsive to depression of the second key forconducting the sixth tone signal to the third control means, whereby thefirst, second, and third notes may be sounded as the first harmonicchord in the predetermined rhythmic pattern in response to depression ofonly the first key and whereby the fourth, fifth, and sixth notes may besounded as the second harmonic chord in the predetermined rhythmicpattern in response to depression of only the second key.
 2. In anelectronic organ comprising a first key and a second key and asound-forming means for mixing tone signals and producing notes,apparatus for causing the notes to sound in a predetermined rhythmicpattern comprising: generator means for transmitting a first tone signalcorresponding to a first note over a first conducting path, fortransmitting a second tone signal corresponding to a second note overthe first conducting path, for transmitting a third tone signalcorresponding to a third note over the first conducting path, fortransmitting a fourth tone signal corresponding to a fourth note over asecond conducting path, for transmitting a fifth tone signalcorresponding to a fifth note over a third conducting path, fortransmitting a sixth tone signal corresponding to a sixth note over afourth conducting path, for transmitting a seventh tone signalcorresponding to a seventh note over the fourth conducting path, fortransmitting an eighth tone signal corresponding to an eighth note overthe fourth conducting path, for transmitting a ninth tone signalcorresponding to a ninth note over a fifth conducting path, and fortransmitting a tenth tone signal corresponding to a tenth note over asixth conducting path, said first, second, third, fourth and fifth notesforming the notes of a first harmonic chord, and said sixth, seventh,eighth, ninth and tenth notes forming the notes of a second harmonicchord different from the first harmonic chord; rhythm means forgenerating at least first, second and third rhythm signals having apredetermined rhythmic pattern; first control means for conducting atone signal to the sound-forming means in response to the first rhythmsignal; second control means for conducting a tone signal tO thesound-forming means in response to the second rhythm signal; thirdcontrol means for conducting a tone signal to the sound-forming means inresponse to the third rhythm signal; first switch means connected in thefirst conducting path responsive to depression of the first key forconducting the first, second and third tone signals to the first controlmeans; second switch means connected in the second conducting pathresponsive to depression of the first key for conducting the fourth tonesignal to the second control means; third switch means connected in thethird conducting path responsive to depression of the first key forconducting the fifth tone signal to the third control means; fourthswitch means connected in the fourth conducting path responsive todepression of the second key for conducting the sixth, seventh andeighth tone signals to the first control means; fifth switch meansconnected in the fifth conducting path responsive to depression of thesecond key for conducting the ninth tone signal to the second controlmeans; and sixth switch means connected in the sixth conducting pathresponsive to depression of the second key for conducting the tenth tonesignal to the third control means, whereby the first through fifth notesmay be sounded as the first harmonic chord in the predetermined rhythmicpattern in response to depression of only the first key, and whereby thesixth through tenth notes may be sounded as the second harmonic chord inthe predetermined rhythmic pattern in response to depression of only thesecond key.
 3. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, and further comprisingseventh switch means responsive to the depression of the first key fordirectly conducting a seventh tone signal to said sound-forming means,whereby said seventh tone signal is conducted continuously and saidfirst through sixth tone signals are conducted according to saidrhythmic pattern.